Colorado School of Mines for Advanced Mineral Exploration Research partners with Descartes Labs Government

The Center to Advance the Science of Exploration to Reclamation in Mining (CASERM) at Colorado School of Mines has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Descartes Labs Government (DLG), recently acquired by EarthDaily Analytics. The collaboration will provide CASERM researchers with rapid access to remote sensing and geospatial data technologies, enabling advancements in mineral exploration, resource mapping, and sustainable mining practices.

Researchers at CASERM will utilize DLG’s innovative Marigold and Iris software to enhance their ability to conduct lithological mapping, mineral distribution analysis, advanced spectral mapping, and lineament detection. These technologies are pivotal for efficiently identifying potential mineral deposits and monitoring ground deformation—critical to mining operations and infrastructure development.

Marigold, an all-in-one exploration toolkit, accelerates mineral discovery by providing a GIS-like interface designed for prospectivity mapping on a global scale. CASERM will leverage Marigold to streamline exploration workflows, allowing researchers to gain insights into surface and buried mineral deposits faster and more efficiently. Additionally, Iris, DLG’s cutting-edge InSAR-based ground deformation monitoring system, enables CASERM to detect anomalous ground movement at critical infrastructure sites, ensuring timely responses and mitigating risks.

“Descartes Labs Government’s choice of our research center as a partner to test and improve their Marigold platform for remote sensing is a testament to the caliber of faculty and students we have,” said Thomas Monecke, Mines professor of geology and geologic engineering and director of CASERM. “The partnership will significantly strengthen our research program in mineral exploration and mineral systems modeling.”

Through this collaboration, CASERM aims to revolutionize the mining industry by integrating geospatial technologies that allow for efficient, sustainable, and data-driven mining operations. These tools enable mining companies to balance their focus on sustainability, environmental impact, and community engagement while maintaining growth and innovation in mineral exploration.

Nicole Toigo, President of Descartes Labs Government expressed her excitement for the partnership: "I am thrilled about this collaboration with Colorado School of Mines because it embodies the future of geospatial innovation. Together, we will not only drive critical research to tackle the pressing environmental challenges of our time but also cultivate the next generation of innovators who will lead the charge toward a more sustainable and secure world."

The partnership cements CASERM’s leadership in remote sensing, geospatial data applications, and mineral exploration technologies, fostering innovation in the mining sector and addressing pressing environmental challenges for the future.

About CASERM

CASERM is one of the world’s largest research centers in the mining sector. It is a collaborative research venture between Colorado School of Mines and Virginia Tech that is supported by a consortium of mining and exploration companies, analytical instrumentation and software companies, and federal agencies aiming to transform the way geoscience data is acquired and used across the mining value chain. CASERM forms part of the I-UCRC program of the National Science Foundation.

About Descartes Labs Government

Descartes Labs Government is a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthDaily Analytics. DLG’s solutions are grounded in an ever-expanding portfolio of cloud-native, dual-use, AI-driven products and capabilities that are commercially available and mission stress tested by a variety of government organizations. DLG’s expert team comes from a broad range of physical and applied science backgrounds at top institutions, and its strength lies in blending physical and statistical modeling techniques.